further light

Our first bit of news right off the bat: Congratulations to Bro. Brian Latorre and Bro. Ramon Viruete on being raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason! Please be sure to offer your congratulations when you see them. These two brothers have demonstrated an enthusiasm for the Craft that has been refreshing and promising for our future as a lodge and I hope you will encourage them in their ongoing journey in Masonry.

Bro. Andy Papademetriou, Bro. Miguel Acuna, and Bro. Jermaine Smith joined me in supporting and welcoming our new Master Masons. A special shout out to Bro. Jermaine Smith for helping me personally raise our brothers later that evening.

Ideally, I would have like to raise our brothers at White Plains -- the weather threw a wrench into our best laid plains. It was nevertheless a remarkable evening, being with brothers from four lodges, raising brothers from four lodges: Huguenot Lodge No. 46, Mount Masada-Galaxy Lodge No. 902, and ourselves, hosted, with our sincerest gratitude, by Kisco Lodge No. 708. Our thanks to W.'. M.'. Scott Davidson for having us and to V.'. W.'. John McAloon, who brilliantly lead the degree from the East, for affording us this singular opportunity.

White Plains also made a good showing at the Grand Lecturer's Convention held at the Tarrytown Masonic Temple. Again, due to the vicissitudes of weather during the last few months, this became a joint effort hosted by both the First and Second Westchester-Putnam Districts. R.'. W.'. Kessler was in fine form as he introduced us to the newly proposed ritual for opening and closing on the first and second degrees. In fact, we will be opening our next meeting on the first degree! It was a great evening of fellowship and learning. It was also the first Masonic experience, other than a degree, for our newly minted Entered Apprentices. I want to recognize the brothers who attended -- I believe we were the largest lodge there after Dunwoodie:

Many of the brothers who attended expressed to me their pride in our lodge and how invaluable the experience:

"It was a great turnout for us. BUT we need to figure out how to spread this excitement and involvement in our own lodge..."

"I think people missed out on an excellent evening.. very different [from] a regular meeting, and... an opportunity to meet new Brothers..."

"I absolutely enjoyed being there as a newly entered apprentice... it was awesome that my first meeting was with the brothers at [a] GL Convention..."

White Plains Nation is back. Check out the gallery for some photos of the evening.

R.'. W.'. Quesada and Bro. Acuna were also able to represent us at the 250th anniversary of Masters Lodge No. 5. and the Ineffable and Sublime Grand Lodge of Perfection up in Albany, New York. I invite you to check out some of the pictures in the gallery. White Plains is indeed a well-travelled lodge.

This is one of the points of pride I take during my tenure as master these past two years. As a lodge, we have visited every lodge in the district and then some. It is with some sadness that I leave the East, but I will confess that I am looking forward to some rest and a transition to new ties in the Fraternity. It has been a pleasure, sometimes a stressful pleasure, but always overcome by brotherly love and friendship, and a singular honor to serve all of you these past two terms. I am proud of what we have accomplished together, but I know that there is much more to do. You can rest assured that you have some amazing leadership and ritual talent in the line and we can look forward to even greater years of service and fraternity.

As of this writing, I am anticipating our participation at the District Dinner Dance where we will be celebrating our Mason of the Year, Bro. Peter Genovese, and our Distinguished Service Award recipient, W.'. Les Horrell. Again, join me in congratulating both these worthy brothers!

Our Masonic season will then be going out with a bang. Please come out to welcome new brothers at the Degree of Entered Apprentice. Bro. Peter Genovese will be in the East.

Grand Lodge will then convene on Monday, May 7 and May 8. If you have the time, it is an experience, especially the day one ceremonies, I recommend seeing at least once. All Master Masons are welcome to attend. 9 am gavel.